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Facial Care for Men Guide
If you are looking for information on facial care for men, you’ve come to the right place. According to research, most guys don’t spend a lot of time worrying about their face.
In fact, a recent study conducted by consumer market research company NDP Group revealed that only a quarter of men actually take the time to use skin care products on a regular basis.
Based on the study’s findings, it appears that most guys just splash water on their faces, shave, and that’s it.
Related: Anti-Aging products for men to reduce wrinkles and lines
However, men should really think twice about adopting a consistent skin care regimen, especially if they are in their twenties or thirties.
Proper and regular skin care not only improves and preserves your appearance, but it can also delay a plethora of skin-related conditions that happen due to aging, pollution, stress and prolonged exposure to the sun.
Specifically, I’m talking about conditions like:
- Premature facial wrinkles
- Blotchiness
- Dryness and chaffing
- Dark spots, freckles and moles
- Deep lines, particularly around the forehead and nasolabial fold
- Dark circles and bags under the eyes
Facial Care for Men and Skin
Many guys are not aware of this but our skin is different than women. The research tells us that on average, a man’s skin is roughly 25% thicker than our female counterparts. In addition, the texture of man’s face is rougher.
Related: How to get rid of baggy eyes and dark circles for men
Men also tend to have oiler skin. That’s because the production of Sebum (oil) occurs in greater amounts than females. And so if you are have ever wondered why you get acne well into your 30’s and 40’s, you now have the answer.
If you are serious about men’s skincare, I’m going to walk you through five basic products every man should have in his medicine cabinet. Most of these face care items can be ordered online or purchased at your local drug store.
I’ve tried to include only the very best ones to save you time and money.
Let’s jump right in!
1. Men’s Face Cleanser
If you are using a bar of soap to wash your face, you need to stop doing that right now. That’s because soaps in general cause havoc to your dermis by creating a dry wasteland.
In order to cope, your skin will start to create lines and wrinkles – not to mention unsightly cracks.
Instead of using a soap, most dermatologists agree that it is much better to use a cleanser. So what’s the difference between the two?
Well, generally speaking cleansers help to remove debris from the pores without using harsh chemical agents.
Additionally, cleansers tend to be mild and lock in moisture.
Related: Gifts for Guys: Practical gift ideas for men
You might read something different elsewhere but according to most all of the research I’ve reviewed, the best type of facial cleansers are the ones that contain glycolic acid.
That’s because glycolic acid helps to dissolve and wash away dead skin cells without stripping the upper dermal layer of important oils and nutrients.
Believe it or not, any alcohol placed on your face has a stripping effect. That’s exactly the opposite of what you want. Instead, the idea is to cleanse without drying your face out.
The other product I recommend is CeraVe’s Foaming Cleanser. This one is “soap-free” and is designed to offer gentle cleansing without drying your face out and making you look like some type of monster.
Tips for Washing
One of the worst things you can do is over wash your face. But many men unknowingly do this because they read the directions off the back of a product bottle.
It’s like this.
If don’t want a face full of wrinkles, don’t wash more than two times a day.
In fact, I would recommend using the CeraVe’ cleanser in the morning and then again at night. Unless you have super oily skin, I’d use the Jack Black product 3-4 times a week only.
I know I am repeating myself here but it’s important – the goal should be to cleanse not to strip.
Below, I’m including an excellent video that offers facial care for men tips where the male model uses a skin cleansing brush – something that you may want to include as an option if you have problematic pores or sport a beard. The scrubbing tool he uses can be found on Amazon.
2. Men’s Facial Moisturizer
Not all moisturizers are created equal. Many are filled with toxic chemicals and skin damaging agents that really have no business being in a grooming product. So how do you know which ones to buy?
Look for moisturizers that are non-comedogenic (meaning they don’t cause acne) and aren’t loaded with a bunch of chemicals. If you are like most guys, you don’t want to have to spend a lot of time reading the back of tubes and canisters to figure this out.
The morning product contains SPF 30: an ingredient designed to protect your face from the harmful rays of the sun. The evening face cream is for overnight use and helps to lock in moisture while rebalancing.
Here’s a quick tip as I wrap up this point. If you have a rare eye color, like green blue eyes, there’s a good chance you’re more susceptible to the sun’s harmful rays. Make sure you wear some type of sunscreen when you’re outside.
3. Men’s Facial Scrub
At least three times a week, you’ll want to use an exfoliating scrub on your face. This will help to remove impurities and other debris that have become lodged into the pores of your skin.
Like the previous products mentioned, I suggest using something that is not harsh and doesn’t strip your dermal layer of essential nutrients.
That’s likely because they’re trying to sell their own brand. In any event, the ManCave does a great job of clearing whiteheads and blackheads, which helps to prevent unsightly acne.
4. Men’s Eye Cream
One of the most tender areas of a man’s face is around the eye area. That’s because collagen production is thin there – a place that happens to need it the most. As a result, it also happens to be a part of the face that shows lines and wrinkles.
Rather than reinvent the wheel here, I highly encourage you to read this handy guide on how to get rid of dark circles and bags for men. I will mention here that using a high quality anti-aging cream around the eyes on a regular basis is key if you want to keep away fine lines away.
5. Men’s Facial Mask
There used to be a time when the very notion of a man using a face mask was thought of as silly. In fact, this used to be a grooming routine reserved for women. Well, I’m here to tell you that times have changed – big time.
A quick trip to Sephora or Amazon reveals dozens of beauty masks specifically designed for men. With all of the choices out there, it can be difficult to know which is the best. The answer to that question isn’t as complicated as you might think.
Unless you’ve got super sensitive skin, you can use an all-around cleansing and firming product. One of the very best ones on the market today is made by the folks at Rugged and Dapper.
Their Detoxifying Mineral Clay Mask (Amazon) uses bentonite and kaolin clays, which help to even skin tone and remove excess oil. I like it because it doesn’t dry out the dermal layer or cause redness. Natural ingredients part of the clay itself, like aloe vera, vitamin E, chamomile, calendula and green tea. Combined, they work in tandem to purge wrinkle causing toxins.
Masks should be used 2 times a week, preferably during a time when you are able to chillax. Many guys find that enjoying a cup of relaxing tea along with a mask helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
Bonus Tip: Face Care Kits for Guys
If you are like most men, you want to keep your grooming routine (and products) down to a bare minimum. An alternative to what has been listed above is the Tiege Hanley Men’s Care System. Everything comes in one box and includes a face wash, AM and PM moisturizer, scrub, eye cream and dermal serum.
I’ve used the products and am here to say they deliver exactly what the promise – more attractive, youthful skin in an easy to use system. My only wish is they had a mask that was part of the kit. Perhaps that is coming? I recommend the level 3 option because you’ll get everything together. Visit the Tiege Hanley website.
Facial Care for Men Bottom Line
If you want to remain youthful and attractive for as long as possible, it’s important to establish good skincare routines. There’s nothing wrong with being a man and showing concern for your appearance.
Facial care doesn’t have to be complicated. By using the tips mentioned above, you should be able to look your very best for years to come.
